The Joy of Responsibility
This summary provides an expert analysis of the biblical mandate for personal responsibility in Christian growth, focusing on Philippians 2:12–16. Drawing on the foundational doctrine of God’s grace, this message underscores that while salvation is entirely a gift, sanctification requires diligent human effort powered by divine enablement.
I. Doctrine and Duty: The Foundation of Christian Responsibility
The passage begins by referencing the critical doctrine established in Philippians 2:1–11 concerning the Incarnation of Jesus Christ. Paul detailed how Jesus came from heaven, was obedient unto death (the death of the cross), humbled Himself, died, was resurrected, and ascended to heaven where every knee shall bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord.
The instruction that follows, beginning with the word “therefore,” connects this profound doctrine to the duty of the believer. Doctrine is always the foundation upon which duty rests, helping believers understand what they should do because of God’s sacrifice and love.
Salvation: A Gift, Not a Work
It is essential to clarify that the ensuing instruction to “work out your own salvation” does not mean working to earn salvation. Salvation is the gift of God received by grace through faith, not of works, lest anyone should boast. No person can advance toward heaven by one step through their own effort. Humans were born with their backs toward God, and it was the grace of God through Jesus Christ that reached down and saved them.
Sanctification: A Cooperative Effort
Once a person becomes a Christian, God begins to work in them, creating an opportunity for them to have a part in their own growth and sanctification. Believers are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works which God prepared in advance for them to walk in. God does not save people just to sit and celebrate; He saves them to be part of His everlasting kingdom.
II. The Mandate: “Work Out Your Own Salvation”
The core instruction of the passage is to “work out your own salvation with fear and trembling”.
The Meaning of “Work Out”
The instruction is not to work for salvation, but to take what God has already given and develop it, practice it, and use it. This phrase is translated as a present imperative, meaning believers are commanded to continuously work out their salvation. Paul gives this instruction in his absence, emphasizing that the Philippians needed to continue their spiritual growth even without his direct presence.
The Importance of “Fear and Trembling”
This phrase instructs believers to take their spiritual growth seriously. It does not mean walking around in fear or anxiety, but recognizing that there is a part of the Christian life that can easily be ignored, leading to personal detriment. By growing in Christ, believers can achieve greater joy, impact, and facility in their walk with the Lord.
The Concept of Discipline
Successfully working out one’s salvation requires discipline. Discipline is defined as training that corrects, molds, or perfects the mental faculties or moral character.
A former basketball coach defined discipline as:
- Doing what needs to be done.
- Doing it when it needs to be done.
- Doing it the best it can be done.
- Doing it that way every time you do it.
Without preparation and discipline ahead of time, believers cannot come back from challenges or gain immediate strength to overcome issues.
III. The Two Disciplines: Human Effort and Divine Power
The process of sanctification involves a necessary cooperative effort between the believer and God, encompassing both human responsibility and divine enablement.
Discipline 1: The Believer Must Do Their Part
Believers must realize that they have a personal responsibility; Jesus is not going to automatically make them godly. They must work at this. This concept is often misunderstood, leading to much passivity in the Christian walk today.
Paul instructed Timothy to “exercise yourself toward godliness,” using the Greek word gumnazo, from which the word “gymnasium” is derived. This means actively getting into the spiritual gymnasium to work out and grow in faith, avoiding a “flabby” or passive Christianity. Just as one spends time working on their body, they need to spend equal or more time working on their soul.
Discipline 2: Dependence on God
Even while working diligently, the believer must depend on God. Verse 13 states: “It is God who works in you both to will and to do for his good pleasure”. God gives the desire (“will”) and the direction (“to do”), but the human must respond and take the next step.
God has provided believers with everything needed for life and godliness, including the Holy Spirit, the Word of God, and Jesus Christ. The command is to take what God has given and develop it. God does not do what He has asked the believer to do; therefore, waiting passively for the Spirit to move is not the biblical model.
IV. The Result: Distinction from the World
The ultimate goal of this disciplined life is to make believers noticeably different from the world. Paul provides three contemporary illustrations of how Christians are to live in a crooked and perverse generation.
1. Cheerful Living in an Unhappy World
Believers are instructed to “do all things without complaining and disputing”.
- Complaining: The word “complaining” means to mutter or to grumble. The children of Israel frequently engaged in grumbling, such as at the Red Sea, Mara, and Kadesh Barnea. Moses clarified that their complaints were not against him and his team, but against the Lord.
- The Chronic Complainer: Chronic complainers are focused on every flaw, seeing only imperfections and generating perpetual dissatisfaction.
- Discipline: A person who develops spiritual discipline will not be a complainer.
2. Straight Living in a Crooked World
Believers should live a blameless and harmless life.
- Blameless and Harmless: This does not mean living perfectly, but living a life that no one can legitimately point a finger at. The word “harmless” means to be pure and unmixed.
- Crooked World: Paul describes the world as “crooked and perverse,” using the Greek word skolio (from which scoliosis is derived, meaning curvature of the spine).
- Stand Up Straight: The instruction is to stand up straight for God in a world that is bending. When a believer stands up straight, they will be noticed, requiring them to be ready to give an answer to everyone who asks about the faith within them.
3. Radiant Living in a Dark World
Believers are commanded to “shine as lights in the world”.
- Shining Light: Jesus instructed His disciples to let their light shine so men may see their good works and glorify their Father in Heaven.
- Holding Forth the Word of Life: This is where works must be accompanied by the message. The idea that Christians should “preach the gospel and if necessary use words” is not true, because the gospel is content—a message that must be explicitly shared.
- Content is Necessary: A believer can shine their light for a lifetime, but if nobody knows why the light is shining, they will not get to heaven. Believers must “hold fast the word of life” and give them the message of the Gospel.